SALUTE TO A MENTOR (On 6 years of Friendship)

Today, this blog is dedicated to a man who led me out of the darkness and into the light.

I want to thank Kelly Mitchell for helping to awaken the muse in me, the part of my writer's soul that had been sleeping for 13 years.

Suffering from writer's block is never a treat for one who prides themselves on being a novelist; it can be debilitating and downright sad. I can't properly explain how it felt to be so blocked and have my gift of prose completely "mute" for this time period. But I CAN say that it was horrible. Man, I'm sure glad that's over.

On March 2, 2009, something special happened.  I walked into a seminar and HE was leading the class: the man who would later become my muse and open the floodgates for my writing career once again. Little did I know that some 2 years and 8 months later, our paths would yet again cross, this time in a writing workshop that he led, and I was hooked. First off, this man was inspiring, mentored people with a charisma I have never known, and he was really real...authentic. Not only that, but I was coming out of a dark era of my life, and I could have really used a strong male mentor at that time, more than anything. This is exactly what he became for me.

Mr. Mitchell is one of my Top Five favorite people. I believe there is a bit of kindred spirit in him, and quite possibly he might note that about me. The Universe sends us exactly who we need, to propel us onward to our dreams and give us the kind of passion that enables us to see the big picture, while allowing our souls to come alive to the most amazing possibilities. Clearly, he has been that for me.

I'll keep this short and sweet, for the sake of not gushing too much.

He knows he inspires me, but I just wanted to thank him once more time, on this 6 year anniversary of friendship.

So, today I salute him. For being the kind of person who takes the time to make people feel special. Maybe it's those Pacific blue eyes and huge warm hands that trigger a feeling of home; could be the soothing voice and kind manners, or the way he answers the phone and always makes the time to listen to me. Whatever it is, he is wonderful.

I'm proud to say that he is a part of my life.

Thanks, KGM.

I'll be forever grateful.

RR :)